Magical Valladolid, Mexico: Things to Do + Travel Guide

If you ask us, there are few more perfect places on the Yucatan peninsula than Valladolid, Mexico–if you’re willing to sacrifice access to a beach, that is.

Between the number of fun things to do in Valladolid (hello cenotes!), the easy access to any number of day trips, and the laid-back and affordable nature of the beautiful city, there is no shortage of reasons to visit Valladolid.

While Merida is arguably a bit trendier and the coastal cities of the Riviera Maya are hard to pull yourself away from, independent travelers find that Valladolid is easy to fall in love with–and for us, it’s one of those cities that we’ve visited multiple times and will continue to return to again and again.

Considering a stop in Mexico’s colorful city of Valladolid? Here’s everything you need to know before you go, from what to do in Valladolid to where to stay and how to get around!

kate storm climbing the main pyramid of ek balam, one of the best things to see near valladolid mexico
Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

19 Best Things to Do in Valladolid, Mexico (+ Nearby!)

Check out Calzada de los Frailes.

This vibrantly colorful street is one of the most popular places to visit in Valladolid!

Lined on either side with brightly painted buildings, this street dates to the 16th century and is part of the reason that Valladolid is listed as one of Mexico’s “pueblos magicos”, or magic towns.

Colorful street in Valladolid Mexico as seen on a Yucatan road trip

Stroll through the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.

Considered to be one of the oldest colonial sites in the Yucatan, the former Convent of San Bernardino de Siena dates to the mid-16th century and is definitely worth a visit.

It even has a cenote on-site, which was used as part of an irrigation system during the time that a Franciscan order called the convent home.

exterior of Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, valladolid mexico things to do in

Pay a visit to Chichen Itza.

One of the best things to do near Valladolid, a huge part of the reason that travelers choose the city as a base is its proximity to Chichen Itza.

Chichen Itza is less than an hour by car from Valladolid, and with an early alarm clock, you can arrive at the gates right as the site opens–and beat the crowded tour buses that have to drive more than 2 hours from Cancun to the pyramids.

Photo of the main pyramid of Chichen Itza on Mexico Yucatan Peninsula

… and Cenote Ik Kil.

One of the area’s most famous cenotes, Cenote Ik Kil is located near Chichen Itza and is frequently combined with a trip to the pyramids.

It also happens to be absolutely beautiful!

READ NEXT
The Ultimate 10 Day Yucatan Road Trip Itinerary

Marvel at the beauty of Cenote Suytun.

Once fairly obscure, Cenote Suytun has risen to enormous fame in the age of Instagram thanks to its incredibly photogenic nature–and if you catch it at the right time, it is indeed as magical as the photos would suggest.

To avoid the crowds, you’ll want to go early in the morning… but to try to capture the famous sunbeam, you’ll want to aim for a sunny day at mid-afternoon (you’ll also need the air to be a bit dusty and cooperate inside the cenote, though–there’s no guarantee you’ll get the shot).

We took the Cenote Suytun photos in this Valladolid blog post as soon as the cenote opened in the morning!

Cenote Suytun is only a 15-minute drive from the center of town and is one of our favorite things to see in Valladolid, Mexico.

Kate Storm standing in the center of Cenote Suytun near Valladolid, an amazing addition to a 10 day Yucatan itinerary

… and Cenote Ka Peh.

There’s a second cenote on-site with the famous Cenote Suytun: Cenote Ka Peh.

You can’t swim in it, and it’s not as beautiful as Cenote Suytun, but it is gorgeous in its own way and well worth the quick walk to see it.

Visit the Iglesia de San Servacio.

Located right on Valladolid’s zocalo, or main square, this beautiful church dates to 1705 and is the most striking building on the square.

Valladolid Cathedral with a motorbike passing by in front of it. Valladolid is an excellent base during this first part of this Mexico road trip itinerary

Climb the pyramids of Ek Balam.

Located just 30 minutes from the city center, the stunning Mayan city of Ek Balam belongs on any list of what to do in Valladolid–and with a fraction of the crowds of Chichen Itza, I’d argue that it’s even more impressive to visit (also unlike Chichen Itza, you can still climb the central pyramid here).

READ NEXT
Mexico Travel Budget: What Does a Trip to Mexico Cost?

… and jump into Cenote X’canche.

Located in the same complex as Ek Balam, though you’ll pay a separate entrance fee to visit, Cenote X’canche ranks among my personal favorite cenotes in Mexico, and I highly recommend a visit!

Stunningly beautiful, the cenote boasts bright blue water and a waterfall.

There is a small restaurant, changing rooms, and restrooms on-site, as well as hammocks to relax in, and it’s incredibly enjoyable to spend an afternoon here.

Cenote X'canche as seen from the interior of the small cave. Also known as the ek balam cenote. A waterfall is in the left side of the photo and the water is turquoise

Visit the Casa de los Venados.

This beautiful museum in Valladolid features over 3000 pieces of Mexican folk art… and it also happens to be located in a private home.

It’s definitely one of the most unique things to see in Valladolid and is worth a visit.

READ NEXT
50+ Important Travel Tips for Mexico

Snap a photo of the colorful Valladolid sign.

These colorful signs denoting the town names of Mexico’s pueblos magicos can be found all over the country–and for us, they never get old!

colorful letters reading "valladolid"

Shop at the Mercado Municipal.

Whether you want to shop for local ingredients to cook with, grab a cheap meal at a taqueria, browse clothes, or just snap photos of the colorful fruit and vegetable stands, the centrally located Mercado Municipal is worth a stop when you’re looking for the best things to do in Valladolid.

READ NEXT
Mexican Breakfast Guide: How to Enjoy Breakfast in Mexico

Take a dip in Cenote Zaci.

Cenote Zaci is widely considered to be a lovely-but-not-magnificent cenote (as compared to the other nearby options like Cenote Suytun and Cenote X’canche)… but it does have one major advantage over the others, and that it is that it’s located in the center of town!

If you’re staying within walking distance of Valladolid’s zocalo, you’ll also be able to take a quick stroll to Cenote Zaci.

cenote zaci, one of the best places to visit in valladolid mexico

People-watch in the zocalo.

Valladolid’s zocalo, or main square, is a delightful blend of attractions for locals (helado carts, balloons for sale for children) and attractions for tourists (dancers performing traditional Mayan dances in costume, souvenir stalls). 

It’s a charming, peaceful place, and one of the best places to visit in Valladolid.

In addition to tourist attractions like (arguably overpriced) restaurants and the local tourism office, you’ll also find practical things you’ll likely need for your time in Valladolid here, like the taxi stand in front of the Iglesia de San Servacio, where you can negotiate rates for trips out of town.

fountain in the center of the zocalo surrounded by a green lawn

Take a day trip to Izamal, Mexico’s yellow city.

Featuring a historic convent, Mayan ruins in the center of town, a chance to escape the crowds, and more beautiful yellow buildings than you can imagine, Izamal is arguably one of the most photogenic towns on the Yucatan peninsula… and it also happens to be only an hour and a half by car from Valladolid!

street lined with yellow buildings izamal mexico

Check out the Museo San Roque.

Housed in a former convent, this museum is free to visit and focuses on the history of Valladolid and on Mayan culture more broadly.

READ NEXT
17 Best Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico’s Laid-Back Island Paradise

Take a day trip to the pink lakes of Las Coloradas.

Years ago, on our first trip to Valladolid, we naively arrived in town hoping to find a tour company that would take us to Mexico’s pink lakes in Las Coloradas, which were then just starting to rise in fame.

As it turned out, there were no tours (still aren’t, as far as we could tell on our most recent visit), but a long taxi ride or an easy 2-hour drive in a rental car will get you there.

We have a full guide to visiting the pink lakes, so I won’t repeat myself much here, but suffice it to say that they’re one of the most unique day trips from Valladolid!

Kate Storm in a black maxi dress standing in front of one of the pink lakes las coloradas mexico

Spend the day at Cenote X’keken and Cenote Samula.

Cenote X’keken and Cenote Samula are located in the same complex, about a 15-minute drive from Valladolid.

Of all the cenotes included on this list of what to see in Valladolid, these are arguably the most developed, with everything from tourist trinkets to snack stalls to lockers available to rent available to you on-site.

Both cenotes are beautiful and worth enjoying, but due to their popularity, we’d recommend visiting on a weekday if you can.

cenote samula as seen from above with a handful of swimmers enjoying the cenote

Getting To + Around Valladolid

Getting to Valladolid from hubs like Cancun and Tulum by bus is very easy: ADO bus routes run right to Valladolid.

However, we strongly prefer to rent a car and drive to Valladolid because of the freedom that it allows in visiting surrounding attractions like Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Cenote Suytun, and more.

If you’re planning on renting a car, it’s very important to note that there are no car rental agencies in Valladolid (a lesson that we learned the hard way on our last trip when we ended up having to double-back to Tulum to pick up a car).

You’ll want to pick up a rental car on the Riviera Maya before leaving–the easiest and cheapest way is generally to rent a car in Cancun (even at the airport), but Playa del Carmen and Tulum are also options.

Check prices & shop rental cars for your trip to Valladolid today!

Jeremy Storm standing in front of a red car parked in front of a church as part of a road trip Yucatan itinerary

If you visit Valladolid without a car, you’ll need to reach the cenotes and ruins through a combination of taxis, collectivos, bikes, scooter rental (for nearby sights like Cenote Suytun) and organized tours. It’s also worth noting that organized tours for attractions that are further away, like the pink lakes, are scarce to non-existent. Tours to Chichen Itza, on the other hand, are easy to find.

It’s entirely doable, especially if you’re comfortable negotiating prices in Spanish–however, having visited Valladolid both ways, the freedom that a car provides is fantastic, and we absolutely prefer it.

Driving to and around Valladolid is fairly easy, and we find driving in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula in general easier than in many places in Europe!

READ NEXT
The Ultimate 2 Weeks in Mexico Itinerary

The best company to rent a car for your Valladolid vacation from will likely vary dramatically depending on exactly when you’re traveling. Sometimes large international carriers offer the best prices, sometimes local outfits. Sometimes one company has an excellent base price, but terrible rental requirements.

The best way to find your rental car is to search through Discover Cars, which will sift through dozens of companies to find the best combination of low prices and reasonable rental terms for your trip.

colorful street in valladolid with some cars on it and a street food stall to the left

Where to Stay in Valladolid, Mexico

Valladolid has a fantastic selection of places to stay, ranging from budget hostels to beautiful boutique hotels.

Here are some of the best, including the hotel we adored on our most recent visit!

Budget

Hostel Candelaria — Featuring a perfect location in the center of Valladolid, colorful decor, hundreds of near-perfect reviews and plenty of dorm and private room lodging options, Hostel Candelaria is a go-to choice for budget travelers to Valladolid.

Check rates & book your stay at Hostel Candelaria!

READ NEXT
How to Visit Becan, A Delightfully Offbeat Mayan City

Mid-range

Casa Aluxes Hotel — We absolutely adored our stay at this boutique hotel. The breakfast is fantastic, the service perfect, the inner courtyard and pools beautiful, and their location excellent. When we return to Valladolid yet again, we’ll definitely consider staying again.

Check rates & book your stay at Casa Aluxes Hotel!

Interior courtyard of Casa Aluxes Hotel in Valladolid Mexico

Luxury

Le Muuch Hotel — This luxury hotel in Valladolid offers spacious family rooms, excellent service, and a fantastic breakfast, all housed in a convenient location within walking distance of Valladolid’s major sights. The grounds include two beautiful pools, and the hotel’s hundreds of excellent reviews make it a sure bet when visiting Valladolid.

Check rates & book your stay at Le Muuch Hotel!

READ NEXT
Laid-Back Isla Holbox, Mexico: Things to Do + How to Get There!

Where is Valladolid, Mexico?

Valladolid is centrally located in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, far from any beaches but perfectly located for exploring Mayan ruins, cenotes, and more.

It’s about 2 hours (155 kilometers) from Cancun, about 1 hour, 45 minutes (140 kilometers) from Playa del Carmen, 1 hour, 30 minutes (100 kilometers) from Tulum, and 1 hour, 45 minutes (160 kilometers) from Merida.

kate storm and jeremy storm in cenote suytun, one of the best cenotes near valladolid

Taking a Day Trip to Valladolid

While you could technically take a day trip from the Riviera Maya to Valladolid, in our opinion, the city is best used as a base–we’d only recommend visiting Valladolid as part of a day trip if you’re combining it with a visit to nearby attractions like Chichen Itza or Cenote Suytun.

If you’d like to visit Valladolid as part of a greater day trip from the Riviera Maya, we recommend this popular tour leaving from Cancun that includes a visit to Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil, and Valladolid.

Book your day trip to Chichen Itza, Cenote Ik Kil, and Valladolid today!

cenote ik kil with no people in it

The Best Time to Visit Valladolid

Though Valladolid can easily be considered a year-round destination, the best time to visit Valladolid is from roughly November through March, when the temperatures are at their mildest and skies the clearest.

The late spring and summer months are extremely hot and humid, and a trip during these months will likely mean more time spent at the cenotes than on average in an effort to stay cool (not that that is a bad thing, exactly). 

August and September are the rainiest months in Mexico’s Valladolid.

Jeremy Storm in Ek Balam facing away from the camera, standing on top of one ruin and overlooking the others

What to Pack for Valladolid, Mexico

Wondering what to pack for your trip to Valladolid? Be sure to throw these items in your bag!

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without insurance–anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. Traveling to Mexico is generally safe, of course, but it also likely involves stepping outside your comfort zone and trying out new adventures in a foreign land… where you may or may not speak the language. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to Mexico.

Pacsafe — We can’t recommend our Pacsafe enough: this travel safe is affordable, sturdy, easy to pack, and will help keep your valuables safe in your hotel room during your Valladolid vacation (not that you should need to worry much about theft in your hotel, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!).

view of valladolid zocalo from under a portico. the zocalo is one of the best things to do in valladolid mexico

Comfortable Day Bag — We currently use Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable. Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a Northface Jester backpack for years and loved it as well.

Swim Goggles — We love packing our own goggles when visiting cenotes. They’re cheap, small, easy to pack, and make swimming so much more fun!

Purell Hand Sanitizer — We carry this everywhere, and never been sorry to have it floating around in our day bag.

2 photos of valladolid mexico, one of flags on cathedral and one of cenote suytun. black and pink text on a white background reads "17 best things to do valladolid"
About Kate Storm
Image of the author, Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

1 thought on “Magical Valladolid, Mexico: Things to Do + Travel Guide”

  1. Thanks for all the information about Valladolid, we intend to spend 10 days there in April at the end of our winter snowbirding in Progreso. Looking forward to it. The information provided will be helpful.

    Reply

Leave a Comment